Material Scientist

Material Scientist
Location: Amherst, NY

Ivoclar has been a leader in dentistry for over a century.  Today, we are one of the world’s leading dental companies. Our integrated solutions are helping to improve the state of oral health throughout the world.  We share one mission: Making People Smile!

Position Purpose:

The Materials Scientist will play a key role in supporting research and product development initiatives within the R&D laboratory. This position focuses on testing, characterization, and performance evaluation of dental materials, including restorative, adhesive, and prosthetic products. The ideal candidate will blend clinical experience with a strong research background, project management, and communication skills.

The base salary range for this position is $95,000-$125,000 depending on experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation will be determined during the interview process.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct testing and analysis of new and existing dental materials, including mechanical, chemical, and physical property evaluations.
• Support R&D projects by preparing, processing, and testing samples following established protocols and international standards (ISO, ADA, ASTM).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product Development, Quality, Marketing, and Regulatory Affairs) to provide technical insights on product performance and material behavior.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, results, and technical data in compliance with GLP and internal quality procedures.
• Participate in root cause analysis and product improvement initiatives.
• Assist in developing and validating new testing methods and equipment to support innovation projects.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, trends, and scientific literature in dental biomaterials and related fields.
• Present findings and recommendations through technical reports, presentations, and internal meetings.
• Present scientific data at various dental congresses and Ivoclar events.
• Support initiatives to Ivoclar Academy by creating scientific content and demonstrations for education purposes.
• Manage Ivoclar research lab via maintain records of equipment calibrations and timely ,services.

Key Competencies:

• Scientific curiosity and problem-solving mindset
• Attention to detail and high level of laboratory accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to safety, quality, and innovation

Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Biomaterials, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related field.
• 1–5 years of relevant experience in R&D or materials testing, preferably in the dental, medical device, or biomaterials industry.
• Hands-on experience with analytical and testing instruments such as universal testing machines, rheometers, FTIR, SEM, and spectrophotometers.
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships in polymers, ceramics, and composites.
• Familiarity with dental materials and ISO/ADA standards is an asset.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer skills with various programs for data analysis and statistics
• Familiarity with AI-driven solutions.

Why Join Ivoclar?

At Ivoclar, you'll have the opportunity to contribute your expertise while continuing to develop both personally and professionally. As an international family-owned company with a long-term perspective, we recognize that our employees are the driving force behind our success.

Join a collaborative team that is passionate about innovation, customer success, and advancing the future of dentistry.

Let's achieve our goal together: Making People Smile.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ivoclar is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and, as such, affirms in policy and practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored visa sponsorship now or in the future.